The Squatter and the Don

The narrative quotes Thomas Carlyle about using “great men” to guide society. Then, it laments that California’s “great men” lead society astray, criticizing “monopolists” in particular. In November 1875, Mr. Mechlin gets news from his brother, Lawrence, that Huntington is orchestrating misinformation that suggests that the Texas Pacific would be bad for the South. Mr. Mechlin arranges to go with Mariano and Mr. Holman to speak with former Governor Stanford about the true future of the Texas Pacific. George agrees with the scheme, though he doubts it will have an effect; he believes the Texas Pacific is doomed.

George is delighted to receive letters from Clarence, which relay his travels through Arizona and Mexico and express his love for Mercedes. Mercedes is relieved to hear of Clarence’s safety, though confused when he mentions never receiving any letters from her. Clarence leaves Mexico for Brazil, then for Europe.

Mechlin and Holman sit with Mariano, who has not fully recovered even a year after the snowstorm, which resulted in the loss of nearly all his cattle. The three men head to San Francisco where they encounter an acquaintance named Mr. Perin who reports the governor’s poor